Hopefully a revival
Dirk hopes that there will soon be a revival in the market. "Due to the extremely mild winter, storage for many growers is not optimal and stocks need to be sold to a market where there is little demand. The processing figures are no different as there is falling demand for fresh potatoes in most West European countries. This is one of the reasons for the lower market prices."
Russia buys elsewhere
"Export figures for the month of January were definitely not bad. We don't have to count on Russia this season: they buy new potatoes from Egypt and Israel and pay significantly higher prices than with us. East and South-East Europe stay on the market, but export to Southern Europe could be better. Until now there was not enough export to push the market price higher. We still hope that that may come later."
"The weather in March and the start of April will play an important part: planting of early potatoes has started here and there, but conditions are not always ideal. A strong cold snap in March or April is not unthinkable. Within two months we will know more," he concluded.
For more information:
Dirk Cornelis
Pomuni
Vaartstraat 155 F
2520 Ranst - Belgium
T. +32 (0)3 485 73 73
Mobiel: +32 (0)477 68 92 99
F. +32 (0)3 485 79 30
E. trade@pomuni.com
W. www.pomuni.com